From 8 to 12 June 2015,
a Special Commission meeting was held in The Hague to review the practical
operation of the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of
Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (the "1993 Hague Convention"). More
than 255 experts, representing 74 countries and 18 international organisations,
participated in the meeting.

On the first day, a
discussion on the "20 years of the 1993 Hague Convention" was held. On
subsequent days, a range of issues were discussed, including: the intercountry adoption
of special needs children, post-adoption support, habitual residence and the
scope of the 1993 Convention, co-operation, issues of procedure, the use of
modern technologies in intercountry adoption, the financial aspects of
intercountry adoption and how best to prevent and address illicit practices.
The meeting provided a unique forum for the authorities of the various
Contracting States, as well as States actively considering joining the
Convention, to share concerns and experiences in relation to the interpretation
and application of the Convention.

In terms of further
work, the Special Commission recommended that, amongst other matters, work
should continue to develop further the guidance on habitual residence and the
scope of the 1993 Hague Convention (see Prel. Doc No 4).
It also recommended that work continue to provide guidance on the recommended
content of the Article 15 and 16 reports, the post-adoption report and the
statement of consent of the child to the intercountry adoption, as well as
other new model forms (see Prel. Doc No 5).
The meeting also recommended that the "Experts' Group on the financial aspects
of intercountry adoption" and the "Working Group on Preventing and Addressing
Illicit Practices" should continue their work.

In relation to
States considering becoming party to the Convention, the Special Commission
agreed that the Permanent Bureau should develop a tool to provide practical
guidance to assist such States with their legal framework for adoption. The great
value of the Intercountry Adoption Technical Assistance Programme ("ICATAP") of
the Hague Conference was also recognised, as was the important support it has
provided to States in the implementation and operation of the Convention.